Kenyans using Airtel Money can now transfer money directly from their mobile wallets to accounts held at 30 banks, SACCOs and microfinance banks following a new partnership between Airtel Money Kenya and Integrated Payment Systems Limited (IPSL), the operator of Pesalink.
The integration, announced on November 11, 2026, expands the payment options available to Airtel Money customers, making it easier to move funds between mobile money wallets and financial institutions without withdrawing cash.The development means customers can use their Airtel Money wallets to transfer funds to participating financial institutions for everyday financial needs, including depositing money into bank accounts, making SACCO contributions and transferring money to other people’s accounts.The service is available through the MyAirtel App and the Airtel Money USSD code, *334#, allowing customers to access the payment option even without a smartphone or internet connection.
How to Transfer Money from Airtel Money to a Bank Account
To make a transfer through the MyAirtel App, customers need to open the application, select the Pay Bill option, choose their preferred bank or financial institution, enter the recipient’s account number and the amount they wish to send, and confirm the transaction.Customers can also dial *334# on their Airtel lines and follow the prompts to transfer money to participating financial institutions.One of the features introduced through the integration is account verification, which allows customers to confirm the recipient’s bank name and account details before completing a transfer.The feature is intended to reduce errors associated with sending money to incorrect accounts and improve customer confidence when making digital payments.The transfers are subject to a limit of KSh 250,000 per transaction and KSh 500,000 per day, according to details reported by Business Daily. Transfers below KSh 100 are free, while charges for higher amounts vary depending on the transaction value. Business Daily
What the Pesalink Partnership Means for Kenyans
The partnership addresses one of the challenges in Kenya’s digital payments market: moving money conveniently between different financial service providers.By connecting Airtel Money to Pesalink, customers gain access to multiple banks, SACCOs and microfinance banks through a single payment network.For example, an Airtel Money customer can transfer money directly to a participating SACCO account to make savings contributions or send funds to a bank account without first withdrawing the money from an Airtel Money agent.The integration also provides more options for small businesses and individuals who receive payments through mobile money but need to move funds into bank accounts.Speaking about the partnership, Airtel Money Kenya Acting Managing Director Michael Bonke said the integration would strengthen the company’s connection with the wider financial services sector.”This partnership with IPSL enables us to extend our reach into the broader financial ecosystem through Pesalink. By facilitating wallet-to-bank transfers across multiple financial institutions, we are making it easier for customers to move money seamlessly between mobile wallets and bank accounts,” said Bonke.He added that the partnership reinforces Airtel Money’s commitment to expanding financial access and improving convenience for customers.
More Payment Services Planned
Beyond bank transfers, Airtel Money and IPSL plan to progressively introduce additional services, including cash deposits and withdrawals through the Airtel Money agent network and person-to-merchant payments.These developments could eventually allow customers to access a wider range of banking and payment services through Airtel Money agents and make payments to participating merchants using the interconnected payment network.However, the companies have not announced when the additional services will become available.IPSL Chief Executive Officer Gituku Kirika said the partnership represents an important step towards making Kenya’s financial services more interconnected.”Pesalink was built to make payments open and interoperable, giving customers the freedom to easily and affordably move money, regardless of where it is held,” said Kirika.”Our partnership with Airtel Money is an important milestone in connecting banking rails with mobile money ecosystems. The power of interoperability is in giving Kenyans more choice in how they make everyday payments.”Pesalink currently connects more than 200 banks, telecommunications companies, financial technology providers and SACCOs through its wider payment ecosystem.Although the network serves more than 200 participating institutions, Airtel Money customers will initially be able to transfer money to the 30 institutions covered under the new integration.The partnership comes as Kenya’s financial services providers increasingly invest in interconnected payment systems to improve convenience, reduce barriers between platforms and give consumers more flexibility in managing their money.For Airtel Money, the integration strengthens its position in Kenya’s competitive mobile money market by expanding the financial services customers can access directly from their wallets.